What to Do When Someone Dies in Orange County, California

Probate in Orange County runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

What probate costsHow to fileTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

When someone dies in Orange County, settling their estate runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

Superior Court - Probate Division

Orange County

Address

3390 Harbor BlvdCosta Mesa, CA 92626

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysWalk-ins acceptedSelf-filing allowed

Accepted paymentCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Checks/money orders payable to "Clerk of the Court". Payments accepted in person at justice-center locations Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, by mail, by drop box (24/7), or online via the Probate Fee Payment Portal. Upgraded mobile application for Civil and Probate cases launched March 14, 2025.

Departments

  • Central Justice Center (General)657-622-7577

Central Justice Center is main courthouse (general: 657-622-6878). Probate Division at Costa Mesa Justice Complex (CMJC), 3390 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa. Alternate probate phone: 657-622-8455. Seven court locations throughout county.

Open in Google Maps

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Orange County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Orange County, probate runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division at 3390 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa. Probate e-filing in Orange County goes through occourts.org, a county-specific system.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under California intestacy law when there is no will.

Most California estates take 12 months to 18 months to move through this process. The 4 monthsCal. Prob. Code § 9100 — later of 4 months from letters or 60 days from mailed/personal notice of administrationVerified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in Orange County

What probate costs in Orange County, California comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Superior Court - Probate Division at 3390 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa.

Probate matters are handled through the Central Justice Center (General). Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

Orange County runs a probate self-help center (Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case.

California charges $435Cal. Gov. Code §§ 70650(a), 70602.5, 70602.6Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Superior Court - Probate Division (https://www.occourts.org/online-services/efiling/efiling-probate-mental-health). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

California sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.

Executor compensation is also statutory in California. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

California requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Cal. Prob. Code §§ 8480 (bond required before letters issued), 8481 (waiver: will provision or all-beneficiary written waiver; court may still require bond for good cause)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in California typically runs 12 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Superior Court - Probate Division

If you're handling probate yourself in Orange County, California, you can file at the Superior Court - Probate Division in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms.

Filings here are routed through the Central Justice Center (General). Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Orange County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Superior Court - Probate Division is realistic. Orange County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Orange County Self-Filing Assessment.

Orange County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Probate Division relocated to Costa Mesa Justice Complex (CMJC) effective May 1, 2023.

Other Requirements

Probate Court Services provides investigative services in probate, guardianship, adoption matters.

Before You Go

Walk-ins accepted

You can file in person without an appointment. Live Self-Help Kiosk services available without appointment. Probate Clerk's Office on 1st Floor, Costa Mesa Justice Complex.

Accepted payment

Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Checks/money orders payable to "Clerk of the Court". Payments accepted in person at justice-center locations Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, by mail, by drop box (24/7), or online via the Probate Fee Payment Portal. Upgraded mobile application for Civil and Probate cases launched March 14, 2025.

What to Bring

To file at the Superior Court - Probate Division you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in Orange County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Clerk-Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Orange County are recorded with the County Clerk-Recorder, led by County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, at 601 North Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Phone: (714) 834-2500. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

The County Clerk-Recorder charges $12 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.

Orange County accepts electronic recording through SECURE (multi-county ERDS shared with Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego).

Recording Office Record

County Clerk-Recorder

Orange County · County Clerk-Recorder · Hugh Nguyen

Address

601 North Ross StreetSanta Ana, CA 92701

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

E-recording

Available via SECURE (multi-county ERDS shared with Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego)
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$12
Each additional page$3
GC 27388.1 Building Homes and Jobs Act Fee (SB 2)Applies to a TOD deed$75
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Cal. Gov. Code 27361; Cal. Gov. Code 27388; Cal. Gov. Code 27388.1; Cal. Gov. Code 27388.2; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11911; Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11930

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Orange County

California uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Orange County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Probate attorney fees in California are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Orange County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the Superior Court - Probate Division and responsiveness are.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Superior Court - Probate Division, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmVentura, CA

Burris Law

Serves 2 counties

Ventura office of a firm headquartered in Orange, representing administrators and executors through Ventura County probate — collecting assets, publishing notice to creditors, and selling estate property — alongside post-death trust administration. Also drafts revocable trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
300 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 101Ventura, CA 93001

FirmAnaheim, CA

Czech & Howell, APC

Serves 1 county

Anaheim firm handling Orange County probate administration for executors and personal representatives: court filings and deadlines, locating and appraising estate assets, resolving debts and liabilities, and estate tax compliance. It also litigates contested wills and beneficiary disputes, and offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more

Office
2400 E Katella Ave, Ste 370Anaheim, CA 92806
Free consultation

FirmSan Bernardino, CA

Fullerton, Lemann, Schaefer & Dominick, LLP

Since 1948 · Serves 4 counties

Serves San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties from San Bernardino, with three Orange County and desert offices. Handles probate and trust administration, will contests and trust disputes, guardianships, conservatorships, and elder abuse claims. Thomas W. Dominick chairs the trusts and estates department and is a State Bar certified specialist; the firm dates to 1948.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 5 more

Office
1809 S Commercenter WestSan Bernardino, CA 92408
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmLos Angeles, CA

Gifford, Dearing & Abernathy, LLP

Serves 2 counties

Downtown Los Angeles firm on South Figueroa Street representing executors and trustees in the county's probate court. Handles probate and trust administration — filing the will, valuing assets, paying taxes and debts, locating beneficiaries — plus contested probate and trust matters and conservatorships. Administering trusts for more than 60 years; consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 3 more

Office
515 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2060Los Angeles, CA 90071
Free consultation

FirmCorona, CA

Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC

Serves 7 counties

Corona-headquartered firm with offices in San Diego, Newport Beach, Glendale, and San Francisco, plus satellite offices in Riverside, Temecula, Vista, and Roseville. Through its Sandoval Legacy Group division it handles probate and trust administration, conservatorships, will contests and fiduciary disputes, elder law, and special needs planning. Offers a free phone consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbateand 8 more

Office
1897 California Ave, Suite 102Corona, CA 92881
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Solo PracticeRiverside, CA

Jones Legal, Inc

Serves 4 counties

Riverside practice focused on probate across Southern California and the Inland Empire, including large estates, spousal property petitions, out-of-state probate, and summary procedures for smaller estates. Serves Anaheim, Chino Hills, Claremont, Fullerton, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Santa Ana, and Upland. Offers free consultations, virtual consultations, and remote case management.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate AdministrationTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
4210 Riverwalk Pkwy, Suite 330Riverside, CA 92505
Free consultationVirtual consultations
See all 56 firms serving Orange County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from California statutes and official state code. How we research.

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

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Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

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